Three Stars Dark Sky Festival
Bamfield & Anacla, Vancouver Island
Join the Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses for three days of astronomy, ocean science, art, and cultural knowledge beneath some of the darkest skies on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Set along the shores of Barkley Sound, the Three Stars Dark Sky Festival brings together scientists, Indigenous knowledge keepers, artists, and visitors for a weekend of discovery, learning, and connection with the natural world.
From guided stargazing and night sky photography to marine science tours and community celebrations, the festival invites visitors to slow down, look up, and experience the deep connections between land, sea, and sky.
Why Bamfield’s Dark Skies Matter
Located on the outer coast of Vancouver Island, Bamfield offers remarkable conditions for observing the night sky. With minimal light pollution and wide ocean horizons, the stars appear with stunning clarity.
For generations, these skies have guided travellers and storytellers who have looked upward for navigation, inspiration, and knowledge.
The Three Stars Dark Sky Festival celebrates this extraordinary environment while encouraging visitors to appreciate and protect dark skies for future generations.
Festival Highlights
Visitors to the Three Stars Dark Sky Festival can experience:
- Stargazing along the beaches of Barkley Sound
- Guided night sky photography workshops
- Indigenous star knowledge and storytelling
- Marine science and coastal ecosystem research
- Artist market, music, and community gatherings
For three days each spring, Bamfield becomes a place where curiosity, culture, and community meet beneath the stars.
Festival Program
Friday | May 8
Moons, Tides & Ocean Cycles | 7–9 PM | Pachena Bay
Explore the powerful relationship between the moon and the ocean through a captivating blend of science and storytelling.
Featuring Spencer Bialek, Machine Learning Specialist at Ocean Networks Canada and PhD-trained astrophysicist, this session dives into the Moon–tide system, seasonal sky changes, and how gravitational forces shape intertidal ecosystems. Spencer brings a rare lens that bridges deep-space astronomy with coastal science, revealing how “the sky moves the sea” in ways both measurable and meaningful
Featuring:
Night Sky Photography Workshop | 9–11 PM | Pachena Bay
Astronomer and astrophotographer Michael Rymer leads a hands-on workshop exploring techniques for capturing stars, constellations, and the Milky Way using your smartphone. Learn how to work with low light and transform the night sky into striking images.
Drawing on his work as a DarkSky Advocate and his passion for protecting natural night environments, Michael shares both practical tips and a deeper appreciation for the importance of dark skies—inviting participants to not only capture the cosmos, but help preserve it.
Featuring:
Stargazing Experience | 10–12 AM | Pachena Bay Campground
Spencer Bialek, astrophysicist, will have his telescope on site, offering guests the chance to experience the night sky through the lens of both cutting-edge science and deep curiosity. With a PhD in astrophysics and a background in astronomical imaging and data science, Spencer brings a unique perspective that connects what we see above with the forces shaping our universe.
Featuring:
Saturday | May 9
Pathways: Between Land & Sky | 10 AM–1 PM | House of Huu-ay-aht
A morning of hands-on workshops, teachings, and storytelling rooted in Huu-ay-aht knowledge and values, where youth, families, and curious minds explore the deep connections between land, culture, and cosmos.
Featuring:
Solar Gazing | 11 AM–2 PM | House of Huu-ay-aht
Using specialized solar telescopes, astronomers guide visitors in safely observing our closest star. Witness sunspots and solar activity while learning how the Sun shapes life on Earth.
Featuring:
- RASC – Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Stargazing Experience | 9–11 PM | Pachena Bay Campground
Step into the night sky at Pachena Bay, where some of the darkest skies on the coast create the perfect conditions for discovery.
Guided by astronomers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, this hands-on experience invites you to explore distant galaxies, star clusters, and constellations through professional telescopes and laser-guided sky tours.
Spencer Bialek, astrophysicist and Machine Learning Specialist at Ocean Networks Canada, will also be on site with his telescope, offering a unique perspective shaped by his background in astronomical imaging and data science. His work connects what we see in the night sky to the forces that shape our universe.
Whether it’s your first time looking up or you’re a seasoned stargazer, this is an opportunity to experience the night sky through expert guidance and scientific insight.
Featuring:
- Spencer Bialek
- RASC – Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Sunday | May 10
Pathways: Between Land & Sky | 10 AM–1 PM | House of Huu-ay-aht
Another morning of hands-on discovery for youth, families, and curious minds exploring science and creativity together.
Featuring:
Solar Gazing | 11 AM–2 PM | House of Huu-ay-aht
Using specialized solar telescopes, astronomers guide visitors in safely observing our closest star. Witness sunspots and solar activity while learning how the Sun shapes life on Earth.
Featuring:
- RASC – Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Special Experience
Newayak Kisikohk Planetarium | House of Huu-ay-aht
Step inside an immersive mobile dome where the night sky comes alive through projection and Indigenous star knowledge.
Guided by Cree Knowledge Keeper George Desjarlais, this one-hour experience blends astronomy with traditional teachings that reveal how generations have understood and navigated the stars.
Showtimes are 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, subject to capacity.
Featuring:
- Newayak Kisikohk Planetarium
Plan Your Visit
The Three Stars Dark Sky Festival takes place in Bamfield and Anacla, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island along the shores of Barkley Sound.
Surrounded by rainforest, ocean, and some of the darkest skies in the province, this remarkable coastal community offers a rare opportunity to experience the night sky in its natural brilliance.
Plan your visit:
- Visit Bamfield — Plan Your Trip
- Bamfield Chamber of Commerce — https://www.bamfieldchamber.com/
Sponsors & Partners
